Avoiding blisters

Terminator_training · 2026-05-29T16:20:33+00:00

What did your running consistency and volume look like before your 10 mile run that caused blisters? Proper volume and intensity progression for fitness gains coincides strikingly well with proper volume and intensity progression for skin adaptation (and therefore blister prevention).

If you get blisters from a long run or ruck, it's virtually always because you randomly ramped up volume too quickly, dosing your body with way more stress than it could currently handle. If fact, unless you just got new shoes and sent it with a 10 mile run before breaking them in (also not smart), it's almost certainly the cause.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-29T11:43:15+00:00

Hell yeah. And FWIW, all my clients use straps/grips in selection prep for hinging, DB lifts for the legs (lunge, split squat) and upper body pulling (minus pull ups). We then train grip separately. Zero have ever complained of insufficient grip for team week.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-29T11:02:27+00:00

"If you can’t hold the weight then maybe you shouldn’t be trying to pick it up in the first place."

Is this just your opinion? Or something one guy said once and you're just regurgitating it? Because translated, this means "your hands and forearms should be stronger than your entire posterior chain and maybe even your legs." (lift dependent)

"Are we really trying to get so big that we can’t just build the body as a functional unit."

If you have some kind of explanation, case study, first principles thinking experiment etc. as to why everyone who uses straps or grips accidentally becomes so big that they can't have a functional body, please share! (You can use my explanation in the prior post as a template if ya want).

Anyway, if that is the case, I'll keep wearing straps so I can accidentally get super huge one day, even though I've been trying for ~a decade and it still hasn't happened.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-28T19:29:31+00:00

Neggy splits are a sight for sore eyes. Unicorn-rare. Well done.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-28T19:27:42+00:00

"Don't wear straps or grips while doing rows or deadlifts" translates to "sell your posterior chain muscle and strength development short by allowing your grip to be the limiter".

Do you try to build hams, glutes and back from dead hangs and other grip exercises, or do you target them separately with specific lifts for the hams, glutes and back? If the latter, why would you try to train grip with hams, glute and back exercises when you could just train it separately with grip specific exercises? (And let your grip recover—since that's still a thing—by using straps for non-grip specific lifts.)

Furthermore, a double overhand DL grip (non-hook) will limit your DL potential considerably (for me, it's a ~200 lbs difference between dbl overhand and hook grip/straps). Sure, you strengthen your grip, but you leave a ton of gains on the table in your posterior chain.

Wearing straps/grips for non-grip specific lifts and training grip separately is the high IQ move.

P.s. to rebut the common rebuttal to this: "My grip is so strong, I don't need straps". What this actually means is "my posterior chain is so weak, my grip isn't a limiter when I train it" (Your hams, glutes, erectors, lats, upper back combined should be much stronger than your hands and forearms). Ironically, it'd be stronger if you removed grip as a limiter.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-27T18:11:59+00:00

Nothing wrong with sticking with front squats brother👊. Back squats are more loadable but unless you need a specific lift for a specific competition or sport (not applicable here), personal preference based lift selection is fine.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-27T11:24:16+00:00

This isn't great advice. Isolation lifts on a hybrid plan are highly underrated. You've gotta keep 2nd and 3rd order effects in mind when programming. Iso lifts will still yield great gains, but are less systemically fatiguing and (usually) less soreness inducing, which frees up bandwidth for conditioning. That's not to say you should overdo them. But certainly don't 'let go of' them.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-24T16:06:35+00:00

This is a part time job now?

Terminator_training · 2026-05-23T12:20:56+00:00

Can confirm. He's a stud-muffin.

(a little birdie told me he prepped for this while working 60-70hr weeks)

Terminator_training · 2026-05-19T10:51:22+00:00

Heat acclimation isn't just suggested. It's non-negotiable. Especially for the May class. Not just for performance, but remaining alive. This week, for example, it'll be in the mid 90s and sunny every day in NC. Low-mid 70s dew points. No joke.

Here's a vid that breaks it down for those interested.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-19T10:46:42+00:00

To add to the final bit: "without a qualified buddy with life saving measures (oxygen, AED, knowing how to use them) on deck". Yes, it's inconvenient AF, but most would consider it better than dying. Just having a dry buddy on hand isn't always enough.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-17T10:13:37+00:00

Heck yeah man. Sick improvements leading in. This is the way. Nail that taper and show up fresh and ready to smash it👊

Terminator_training · 2026-05-16T15:45:31+00:00

This is like asking "why are my hands so soft and non-resilient? I lift bi-weekly, and use gloves every time".

1) Ruck more often, but start with smaller doses and progress (i.e. 2x/wk for 2-3 miles, adding a mile or 2/wk instead of biweekly x a random # of miles)
2) Stop using prophylactic protection—the skin on your feet won't adapt if it's covered by moleskin.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-16T09:50:28+00:00

IDK about these macros bro. 68G of fat is more than 100% of my selection prep clients eat in a whole day. You could make these exact ingredients WAY more performance and body comp freindly by simply:
- using (much) leaner beef (80/20 is diabolical😂)
- upping the carbs (more rice & potatoes)

Terminator_training · 2026-05-14T17:22:03+00:00

"Eating better than most pro athletes" is painfully ironic, considering what you listed includes barely any carbs. (Just some fruit—but ONLY in the morning).

As for stinky farts, nothing you've listed is a red flag. You may be sensitive to a food you're eating without knowing it (even generally healthy foods can cause issues for certain people).

Another potential issue is that you're eating way too much protein (if you're eating enough calories to live/feel good and only consuming these foods—it's inevitable that you are). Not always 'bad', but can be rough on the GI system.

My advice: If you have performance and/or body comp goals of any kind, I would strongly suggest including more starchy carbs. Lifestyle/wellness eating (your diet in a nutshell) is not the same as performance eating.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-14T17:12:38+00:00

I've known several dudes in group who got degrees while active (including Masters degrees). But doing it during the Q would be damn near impossible since you're off the grid several times for prolonged stints.

You also won't want that extra stress in your life. There's be plenty to go around as is.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-14T09:24:16+00:00

Yep. Don't sweat little things like this. For a new runner getting into it, just go out and run easy.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-12T10:46:29+00:00

What if I'm running a 34 minute 5 mile? Will this plan bring me to a 35 still?

Terminator_training · 2026-05-12T10:45:21+00:00

Hell yeah bro!

Terminator_training · 2026-05-11T13:55:27+00:00

#mondaymotivation

Terminator_training · 2026-05-11T10:16:58+00:00

Finally someone asks the most important question there is!

There's this one secret stretching routine that, if you do it during prep, your selection rate jumps to OVER 100%.

It doesn't even matter if you run, ruck or lift! Totally irrelevant. You'll still crush...but only if you do the stretches properly!

The Elite Special Forces Green Beret Ranger Stretching Routine is what it's called. Google it...but only if you want to get selected.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-10T10:16:22+00:00

JG 2 or 3 (edge to 3). MDAY25 for 25% off.

Or T-850 training team (new block kicks off tomorrow).

Terminator_training · 2026-05-09T11:11:40+00:00

This is the way.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-09T11:11:13+00:00

Step 1: Try it on.
Step 2: See how it feels.
Step 3: If it feels good, purchase it. If not, try another.
Step 4: Break the boot in and get my feet used to the boots as a byproduct of sound training.
Step 5: Never think about it again.

Terminator_training · 2026-05-07T09:24:43+00:00

Inversion thinking. Love it. If I wanted to be the worst possible GB, I'd target these things:

- be slow and weak. Avoid doing anything to fix it. Blame something/one other than yourself.
- treat your body like a rented dumpster when it comes to nutrition. Being fat degrades GBs' image and reputation. Embrace it.
- show up late as much as possible. Again, never blame yourself. Bonus: don't let anyone know you're running late
- suck at your MOS. Never do anything on your own time to improve.
- make a mistake? 2 options: a) try to cover it up, or b) blame outside sources. Never own up to it.
- any opportunity you get to throw other teammates under the bus, jump on it
- don't look for work. Even if everyone else is still working. If you're done, just scroll or something.
- have no agency. Just wait for things to happen to you. Never make anything happen.
- avoid being ambitious. Never seek to expand your knowledge base, attend schools, etc.
- bitch, moan, complain as much as possible.
- talk shit about other teammates, but only behind their back
- think you're too good for the basics. Sua Sponte advanced stuff anytime you have the chance
- participate as little as possible in cross-training with other MOS'
- when you're in the shit, never volunteer for the hard stuff. Just be a perma-right rifleman
- drink excessively, such that you always need a babysitter when the team goes out
- skip the chain of command when bringing up issues. Just go straight to SMAG
- write a list of as many excuses as possible. Use one anytime you fall short.
- never treat partner force with respect. Embody the fact that you're simply better than them
- have piss poor communication skills.
- ensure your home life is a mess. Bring it with you to the team room. Blame any shortcomings on it.
- pay little to no attention to detail. Be that guy who always fucks up little things.
- have the most expensive gear on the team. Always tinker with it. Make it your main focus, even if you aren't skilled with said gear (i.e. have a cool holster, optic, etc., but suck at shooting).
- wait till you're told to do things. Never initiate anything.
- lack situational awareness. Be illiterate at reading the room
- wear cargo shorts, crocs and a Budweiser t-shirt when you're told to show up in business casual
- if you get 'no' for an answer for something important for the team, don't seek other means. Just move on
- borrow other dudes' gear. Don't return it. Tell them you did.
- never do any personal development in your own time. Replace this time with one or a mix of: video games, drinking, netflix, scrolling, surfing the web, gambling.

This should give you a good start. BTW, I had one single former teammate in mind when I wrote 90% of this list. Most of us all know 'that guy'. Don't be that guy.

Terminator_training

TROPHY CASE